Israelis take to the airport to protest judicial overhaul

Blowing horns, banging drums and holding placards reading "Democracy will win," the crowd blocked the access of vehicles to the airport's main international arrival and departure terminal.

Opponents of the controversial overhaul proposals, which would give politicians more power over the courts, believe they could open the way to more authoritarian government.

"We need to show that the protest is not asleep, we are here, we're awake," Smadar Bonen, 46, told AFP.

"The protest really showed that they (politicians) can't do whatever they want, not that easily," said Bonen, a Tel Aviv area resident.

Demonstrators have kept up the pressure with weekly rallies against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who returned to power in December at the head of a coalition with ultra-Orthodox Jewish and extreme-right allies.

In March, nearly three months after the reform agenda was unveiled, Netanyahu announced a "pause" to allow for talks with the opposition on the legislation which was moving through parliament and split the nation.

The talks, however, failed to yield understandings, and Netanyahu has said he intends to press ahead with the reforms -- albeit with some changes.

Police said they had arrested four people "for violating public order" during the demonstration at the airport, emphasising the need to maintain "the accessibility of traffic routes in the airport for emergency and rescue personnel".

The protest has not affected the airport's flight schedule, a spokeswoman for the Israel Airports Authority told AFP.

Ruth Regev, a retiree from the central city of Ramat Gan, said she was "so worried" by the government's plan.

"I think this is a critical time, for Israeli society, for Israeli democracy, for my children, for my grandchildren."